Switch mechanism



3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 11, 1945 Oct. 18, 1949. E s, GIFHN 2,484,991

SWITCH MECHANISM Filed Jan. l1, 1945 'shetS-Sheeb 2 Fly. .9.

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1N V EN TOR.

Edu) ara 5.A 60K/f1.1? q/MW ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 18, 1949. E. s, GIFFIN swITcH MECHANISM y 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. ll, 1.945

INVENTOR. Edwafd '5. @1j/fm ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 18, A1949 UNITEDl STATES PATENT OFFICE SWITCH MECHANISM Edward Stanley Giin, Auburn, Wash.

Application January 11, 1945, Serial No. 572,339

22 Claims. 1

My invention relates to controlling mechanism for electrical circuits, and more particularly to a switching device especially useful for automotive circuits, such as the engine ignition circuit of an automobile, airplane, or boat.

The purpose of my invention is to provide mechanism which will prevent unauthorized persons closing the electrical circuit controlled by my device, but which can be manipulated quickly by an authorized person to energize the controlled circuit. Moreover I prefer that my device be capable of operation without requiring the use of a key.

My device can be operated selectively so that when set in one position it can be operated by a temporarily authorized person knowing the particular condition for which it is set, but who does not know how to change the setting of the device. Thereafter one who does know the technique of altering the setting of the mechanism can reset it to a different condition so that the temporarily authorized person cannot energize the circuit thereafter unless shown the new setting.

While the resetting mechanism may be controlled in various ways, such as by a key operated lock, I prefer that it be operable by a combination type lock so that no key will be necessary. For normal operation of the device, however, itis not necessary to utilize the combination lock feature, although the device will be arranged so that it cannot be operated to close the controlled circuit by an unauthorized person.

It will be understood that the design of my mechanism may be altered in various respects, although the forms illustrated in the drawings are entirely practical.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through my device, and Figures 2, 3 and 4 are similar views of a portion of the device showing the parts in different operative positions.

Figures 5, 6, 'l and 8 are transverse sectional views through my device, taken on lines 5 5, 6 6, lY-l and 8--8, respectively, of Figure 1. Figure 9 is a front elevational view of the device.

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view, corresponding to Figure 1, through a portion of a modified form of the device.

Figure 11 is a sideelevational view of a portion of my device, with parts broken away, and Figure 12 is a plan view of the same portion of the device. Figure 13 is a transverse sectional view through the device taken along line I3I3 of Figure l1, and Figure 14 is a transverse sec--` tional view taken along line III- I4 of the same figure.

My device consists of two major assemblies, the rst being the switching and switch control mechanism, which includes a latch engageable in certain positions of a switch control member, and second, latch releasing mechanism to release the latch of such first mechanism, which is preferably of the combination lock type. The latch releasing mechanism may, however, be key operated or manipulated by other means to release the latch of the switch control mechanism without requiring the principal structure of the switch control mechanism to be altered.

One form of the switching and switch control mechanism is illustrated in Figures 1 to 9,

' inclusive. The purpose of my device is t0 control completion of a circuit between lead wires I and I9 of an electric circuit, whatever may be the purpose of such circuit. Perhaps the most useful application of my device, however, is in conjunction with an automobile ignition circuit incorporating wires I' and IIJ.

A cylindrical casing 2 has secured within it two partitions 20 and 2I, respectively, arranged in spaced relationship. The former partition may be of insulating material and have screwed into it metallic bushings II guiding contact .plungers I2 for reciprocation axially of the casing 2. These bushings may be arranged along a diameter of the partition and spaced equally from the casing wall. The stems I3 of brushes or plungers I2 projecting beyond the left side of partition 20 may be connected to wires I and I0, respectively. A spring I4 interengaged between the head of each plunger and an inwardly projecting ilange of each bushing II urges each plunger toward the right, as indicated in Figure 1.

The partition 2| may be of metal, apertured at its center to receive the central portion of a rotor 22 made of insulating material. The partition is preferably of a width to constitute a bearing for such rotor. The left end of this rotor carries a disk 23 on which are mounted two substantially semicircular arcuate metal strips I5. The adjacent ends of these strips are spaced apart less than the width of a plunger I2. A circle having a diameter equal to the distance between contact brushes I2 would lie between the inner and outer peripheries of such strips. Consequently in substantially all rotative positions of rotor 22 one brush I'2 would contact one strip I5 and the other brush would contact the other strip, being pressed against such strips, respectively, by springs I4.

A disk 24 carrying at one location near its periphery two projecting contacts I6, constituting an abutment element of circuit-closing means, is secured by suitable means, such as a nut 25, on the right end of rotor 22. These contacts I6 are connected to the arcuate strips I by wires extending through the rotor.

In the right end of cylindrical casing 2 is mounted a further partition disk or plate 3 which has a plurality of holes 30 through it arranged in a circle concentric with casing 2. These holes are all located approximately the same distance from the casing as the contacts I6. While 'am7 desired number and arrangement of such holes may be employed, I prefer that they be spaced apart equal angles, for example 30 degrees, as shown in Figure 5. The location of each hole 30 then corresponds to one of the numbers 1 to 12 on the index ring 4 carried by the mounting plate P for the device, as shown in Figure 9. At one location, for example at that corresponding to the numeral 9 on ring 4, a slot 3| extends from the circle of holes 30 radially inward slightly beyond the center of disk 3.

The end wall 32 closing the right end of cylindif-ical casing 2 has a tube 33 projecting outward from it in which a boss 34 of a control shaft 35 slidably ts. The inner end of this shaft projects through the central end of slot 3l in partition 3, and for better support may be slidably received in a bore26 formed centrally in rotor 22. The opposite end of the shaft may project to the right beyond mounting plate P and carry a knob 4.0 by which the rod may be both reciprocated lengthwise and rotated. Tie bars 21 may 'be secured to opposite sides of casing 2 and to mounting plate P.

Shaft 35 has an arm 36 projecting radially from it which is disposed in the space within casing 2 between partition 3 and end wall 32 when the shaft is reciprocated to its position farthest to the right, as in Figure 1. This arm carries at lits outer end a control element -of the circuit-closT ing means, in the form of a head 31, preferably 'of cylindrical shape, disposed parallel to shaftU 35 and projecting from the arm toward partition plate 3. Arm 36 carries head 31 of conducting material at a location spaced from the axis of shaft `3.5 a distance equal to the radius of the circle 0n which holes 30 lie, and such head is Small enough for projection through any one of such holes by inward reciprocation of such shaft. If the shaft is. shifted to the left when arm 3,6 is in the rotative position shown in Figure 1, head 31 will b e projected into and through the hole 36 behind which the circuit-closing means abut ment element contacts I6 are located. This head is of suieent length parallel to shaft 35 Se that its left end projecting through such aperture 30 and beyond .the left side 0f partition 3 will engage and bridge between contacts I6. Head 31, constie tilting a control member, thus bridges the contacts I6 to. energize the circuit incorporating wires I and I0 through the brushes I2 and contact Strips |51..

If, on the other hand, shaft 35 were in rotative position in which head 31 is aligned with a hole 30 other than vthe one with which rotor projection contacts I6 register, or with slot 3 I, reciprocation of shaft 35 to the left could becontinued to shift arm 36 beyond its `position shown in Figure 2. If the head 31`were in registry with a hole other than that corresponding tothe location of contacts I6, the shaft could be shifted inward until arm 36 engagedthe right side of partition 3., which disposition isshown in Figure 3. If, however, arm 36 were in registry with slot 3l, as

shown in Figure 3, continued reciprocation of the shaft to the left would move this arm bodily through such slot to dispose it at the left side of partition 3 as in Figure 4. Additional inward movement of the shaft would be interrupted either by its inner end seating on the end of bearing cavity 26 in rotor 22, or 'by the guide boss 34 striking a stop member, or by engagement of knob 40 with the outer end of sleeve 4I which cannot move lengthwise.

After arm 36 has thus been shifted through slot 3I to the left side of partition 3 shaft 35 may again be rotated. Depending upon the direction of such rotation, head 31 will eventually engage one side or the other of the circuit-closing means abutment element composed of contacts I6, as

illustrated in Figure 4. In that particular in stance rotation of shaft 36 has been effected in a clockwise direction. Such engagement of head 31 with a contact I6 will not close a circuit between wires I and Ill because the head. is in engagernent with only one of the contacts and cannot bridge between them.

1f a torque is applied to shaft 35 after head 31 thus engages the circuit-closing means abutment element and in the same direction, arm 36 will apply a rotational 4force to such element, and consequently to rotor 22. The location of contacts I6 may thus be shifted by rotation of the rotor from registry with one hole 30 to a different hole. Rotation of shaft 35 in the opposite direction after arm 35. has passed through slot 3| could, of course, cause head 31 to engage the opposite side of the circuiteclosing means abutment element, and the contacts I6 and rotor 22 would be revolved in a counterclockwise direction, instead of irlv a clockwise direction as described previously.

In whichever direction contacts I6 may be shifted they will be held in proper registry with one or another of holes 30 'by engagement of a ball detent I1carried by an arm 28 with one of the depressions I8 in the left side of partition 2|, which depressions are located correspondingly to the several apertures 30 and numerals 1 to 12, inclusive, on index ring 4. Preferably, as shown in Figure 6, the Width of the circuit-closing means abutment element is suchV that when ar-m 36 is shifted in a clockwise direction the location of contacts i6 will-be one number farther in a clockwise direction than the location of arm 36, whereas, on the contrary, when shaft 35 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction the location of contacts I6 will be one number farther in a counterclockwise directionI than that corresponding to the location of arm 36. y

Boss 34 on shaft 35, slidable in guide tube 33, has an annular groove 38 in its periphery, in which fits a yoke 5 of latch mechanism. This yoke is carried byan arm 50 extending radially of shaft 35 throllghfa slot 33 in tube 33. The yoke fits in groove 38, Suiiciently loosely that the shaft may be rotated easily without swinging arm 50, but reciprocation of the shaft will shift the arm laterally toactuate the latch.

hatchniechariirll Coordinated with lengthwise shifting of shaft 35 into various positions is shown diagrammatically in Figures 2, 3 and 4. Thus 'arm 50 carrie-s thev latch bar 5I pivoted to swing lrelative to it. The latch bar slides on a track 525 which is stationaryand disposed generally parallel torshaft 35. A spring may urge the bar downward against the track. This track has a notch. 53 in `its upnerside of a width sumcient to enable latch bar 5I to drop downward into it,

A lifting lever mais7 be raised by mechanism to lift the latch bar out of notch 53.

Notch 53 is located relative to the lengthwise travel of shaft 35 and the lateral shift of arm 50 and notch bar I so that when arm 36 is between partition 3 and end wall 32 the latch bar will be located Well to the right of the notch. When shaft 35 has been shifted to the lef-t into the position of Figure 2, so that head 31 bridges between contacts I6 to :complete a circuit between Wires I and I0, the engagement of the head with the contacts will limit lengthwise movement of shaft 35 before latch bar 5I has reached notch 53.

the control head 31 and abutment block 13 in registry with the same hole 30 the force exerted on shaft 35, transmitted through the head to such block, will slide rotor 22 sufficiently to the left to engage plate 10 with both contact fingers 1, thus closing the circuit between wires I and I0. Movement of rotor 22 in such direction is limited by engagement of disk 10 with a bar 14 of insulating material extending diametrically across casing 2 and located between contact fingers 1.

Since the abutment block 13 in the instant device is of the same size, shape and location as the abutment contacts I6 of the form shown in Figures 1 and 6, arm 36 may be shifted to a If arm 36 should be in a rotative position other 15 location to the left of Ipartition 3 through slot 3l than that corresponding to the location of conand rotated for the purpose of altering the cirtacts I6, however, head 31 will move through cumferential position of block 13 in the manner such an aperture 30 until arm 36 engages the right previously described in connection with such side of partition 3, in which case latch bar 5I other form. Such block will be held in registry will have moved into registry with notch 53 and ,20 with any selected hole 30 by diametrically opposite will drop into it. The left side of this notch is detents 15 carried by disk 12 and engaged with inclined as indicated at 55, however, so that if grooves 16 which are formed on the inner side arm 36 is in registry with slot 3| reciprocation of casing 22 and extend longitudinally of it. of shaft 35 to the left may be continued until These grooves are located to correspond, respecsuch arm has moved entirely to the left of partitively, with the positions of the several holes 30. tion 3 into the position shown in Figure 4. In order to indicate to the operator the rotative There is no dimculty in moving shaft to the position of arm 36 and head 31, a pointer 42 is right from the contacting position shown in secured upon sleeve 4I, such as by a set screw, to Figure 2. If latch bar 5I has passed to the left be rotated with shaft 35 and to indicate the suciently far to engage in notch 53, however, .30 various numerals 1 to 12 on ring 4, shown in reciprocation of shaft 35 to the right will be Figure 9. The-right end of shaft 35 as itisseen in interrupted by engagement of the vright side of Figure 1 is preferably square or of other nonthe latch bar with the abrupt right side of notch cylindrical shape to t sleeve 4 I, or it may be slid- 53. It will thereupon be necessary to raise lifting ably keyed or splined to such sleeve, for affectlever 54 to lift latch bar 5I out of the notch so that 35 ing a rotative driving connection between these rod 35 may be moved to the right again. The parts while leaving shaft 35 free to reciprocate preferred mechanism for raising the lifting lever within this sleeve. In the arrangement shown will be described hereafter. the numeral 9 corresponds to the location of Instead of the circuit-closing means abutslot 3l. Plate 3 may, of course, be installed so ment element being contacts I6 as in Figures 1 40 that registry of arm 36 with it will be indicated to 4 and 6, arm 36 and control head 31 may operby pointer 42 pointing to a different number. ate the alternative type of abutment element Alternatively the position of pointer 42 may be shown in Figure 10 to close the circuit between shifted on sleeve 4I for a change in the relationwires I and I0. In this instance the rotor 22' is ship between it and arm 36 as desired by the journaled in a fixed partition 2l', similar to rotor 54% individual operator. but fOr 'DulDOSeS 0f discus- 22, and also has a guide bore 26 receiving the left sion the pointer 42 has been shown in Figure 1 end of shaft 35. The arrangement of holes 36 to be in registry with arm 36. and slot 3l in partition 3 may be the same as In operating my device, therefore, the operator described previously. Will first rotate knob 4'0 until pointer 42 indicates In this form of my device wires I and I6 are 5(3) numeral 9, placing arm 36 in alignment with connected to contact strips or fingers 1 mounted S1011 3|- The knob may then be pushed inward on the wall of cylindrical casing 2 at diametri- 130 Shift arm 36 and head 31 through Slot 3| t0 cally opposite locations. Rotor 22 in this inthe left of partition 3. stance is not only rotatable but is reciprocable in When shaft 3'5 has been pushed fully to the partition 2l'. At its left end it carries a contact \55 left in this manner knob 4Il'may be rotated in bridging disk 10 adapted to engage both coneither direction through one complete turn to tact lingers 1 by reciprocation to the left, in make sure that head 31 has been brought into Whatever rotative position rotor 22' may be. engagement with one side or the other of thek Normally rotor 22 is urged toward the right by circuit-closing means abutment element, whether a helical spring 1I interposed between partition 60 it be contacts I6 or block 13, depending upon the 2| and a disk 12 mounted on the right end of form of the device. In both instances the circuitthe rotor. Movement of the rotor to the right is closing means abutment element Setting Operlimited by engagement of the periphery of this ation is accomplished in precisely the same disk with an annular rib 28 yprojecting inwardly manner. from casing 2 at a location intermediate parti- 65 Rotation of knob 40 is continued in the same tions 2 I and 3. direction through that fraction of the next revo- In place of contacts I6 constituting the circuitlution necessary to bring pointer 42 into position closing means abutment element in the form of to indicate the numeral on ring 4 next premy device described previously, a block 13 of ceding the desired circuit-closing number. Thus approximately the same length and aggregate if the selected number is 3 and the knob 40 is width as contacts I6 projects from disk 12. This block is disposed at a distance radially from the center of the disk corresponding to the radius of the circle around which holes 36 are located.

When shaft 35 is reciprocated to the left with being rotated in the clockwise direction, rotation will be stopped when the pointer indicates `the numeral 2 The knob is then rotated in the yreverse direction until the pointer again points to number 9, indicating that arm 36 is in registry with slot- 3l. Knob lil vmay then be drawn -outward to move arm 36 through slot 3 l. Such outward movement will be interrupted, however, by engagement of the latch bar l in notch 53 of track 52 as shown in Figure 3. Consequently it will be necessary to manipulate the latch controlling mechanism for raising lifting lever 56 to lift the latch barout of the notch, 'so that the knob may be pulled farther outward 'to dispose arm 36 and head 31 in the Aspace between partition 3 and end wall 32, which positions they `occupy-in Figures 1 and 10.

The device has now been set so that the circuit between wires l and i6 may be closed by rotating knob 40 to `align pointer l2 with numeral 3, and then pushing the knob inward .to reciprocate 'shaft 35 for moving the .head 31 vof arm 36 through the hole 30 which is in registry with the circuit-closing means `abutment element, as shown in Figure 2, to engage such element. ITo deenergize the circuit it is merely necessary to pull knob 46 outward to return head 31 to the position of Figures `1 and 10.

An unauthorized person will 4not know with which number on ring 110 pointer t2 must register in order to engage vcontacts i6 or block 13, `although he would have one chance in twelve of selecting the proper number. If the wrong posi. tion were selected, however, shaft 35 vwould be reciprocated inward until arm 36 engaged the right side of partition `3, which would enable latch bar 5I to drop into notch 53 of track 52. Since the shaft could not be pulled outward again until after the latch had been released `it vwould not be possible for an unauthorized person to try rst one number. and then another until .the location of the circuit-closing lmeans abutment element had been discovered.

In order to eliminate all chance of an unauthorized person selecting the proper circuitclosing number on ring t, after drawing shaft A35 outward 'to the position shown in Figures -1 and the operator could turn pointer 42 to a number different from that corresponding to the location of contacts i6 or block 13. Thus if the number corresponding `t0 the selected position of the circuit-closincr means abutment element lis 3 the pointer 42 may be turned to the numeral '1, for example, and Ithen knob `l0 can be ,pushed inward -until llatch bar 5| has engaged in notch 53, to lock shaft 35 against lengthwise movement. Knob i6 will thus be locked against both reciprocation and rotation, just as when head 31 iis inadvertently pushed into the wrong hole36, until the latch is released.

Except under unusual circumstances the 'operator will not manipulate knob vMl to engage the latch mechanism, because considerably more time is required to release the latch and rthen to close the circuit by rotation Vand reciprocation of knob 66 than is necessary for circuit-closing operation of the knob alone. If the latch is not Aengaged it is merely necessary ktorotate theknob until the pointer is aligned with the selected circuit-closing number, and then to push Ain `the knob.

The latch arrangement shown in Figures A2, .3 and 4 is somewhat diagrammatic,:and it is preferred that the latch bar 5i extend upwardas shownin -Figures 12 and 13fto slide alonga-track 52 locatedabove `the tubular extension33. Because the construction of the track .is the same whatever its location, the samenumeralhas been applied tothe track shown inlFigures 11,12and reras-izo that in Figures 2,-3and Y4.

lThe latch releasing "member 54 of Figures 11, 12 Aand 13 takes the form of a lever 54 pivoted on a pin 56 mounted on track 52. Normally the latch :bar .lifting end of this lever is held in the downwardly swung position, 'indicated in dotted. lines in Figure 11, bythe weight 51 carried by the longer end of the lever. Lifting lever 54 is swung upward into the latch bar lifting position shown in solid lines in Figure 11 by pressure exerted on :its 4shorter end by a second lever 53,' also pivotailly mounted on track 52 by pivot pin 59.

It will 'be evident that in order to release latch bar 5.1i" .from the Vnotch in track 52 it is merely necessary to :raise the left end of lever 58 into 'the solid line position of.Figure 11, whereupon its 4right end would depress the left end of lever 54iagainst the force :exerted by -weight 51. When the .levers have been moved into the solid line position, therefore, shaft 35 may be reciprocated .fartherto the left, as seen in Figures 11 and 12, by pullingv knob 40.

Various types of mechanism may of course be utilized to -tilt lever 58 for releasing the latch bar, .but lI prefer y-to leffect this operation by a combination .lock mechanism actuated by rotation of a dial 6, rpreferably arranged concentrically with shaft 35 `and knob lil of the switch controlling mechanism.' As best shown in Figkure 1 ,this -dial is rotatable on sleeve 4| which vcarries pointer 42. A'cam disk 60 is secured to la 'tubular extension 6| passing rearwardly through the mounting panel P.

ICamdisk 60 has `aconformation operable, upon `rotation of dial 6 through the proper combination, to lswing upward a lever r62 of spring metal pivoted *at 263. As shown in Figure 11, lever 62 has an offset portion forming a ledge engaged beneath the left lend of lever 58. The lower end yof this lever carries a pin 64. Such disk includes ya .central boss 65 from which extends laterally voutward a short spiral `rib 66. Adjacent to the .convexside of this rib is va second spiral rib 61 -direc'tedfoppositely and separated from rib 66 by Va `'notch '68. 'The bottom of the notch projects Ysomewhat-outward from the face of the cam disk '60 to form a surfaceconstituting a continuation of fthe linner vend of rib 161 joined vto the outer end of rib 66.

-If 'the dial 6 is rotated in a direction to shift .cam `disk 60 jin the clockwise direction as seen IinFigure 14 while pin-64 is riding on the centralyboss 65 of the cam disk, this pin will be forcedl outward along the convex face of rib 66 until .it passes through `notch 68. During such move- 'mentlp'in 64 will also be 4forced somewhat away Afrom mounting plate P'against the inherent resilience of lever 62. 'If rotation of the cam disk '60 in'the'clockwise direc-tion is continued the pin -will 'dropdown "from the outer end of rib 66 to engage the'periphery of central boss 65 again.

f'rotationof disk lill-is reversed, being revolved 'counterclockwise before `pin 64 drops off the end of rib 66,the pin willpass across notch 68 and 'will'beliftedbyengagement with the convex side of rib 61 until it reaches theposition'of Figure 14. ySuch upward movementof pin 64 has, of course, similarly .swung upward the .left end of lever 62 .about itspivot 63, and such swinging has had the .eifect of .tilting .the levers 58 and 56 from the ybrokendine.positions of Figure 11 to their solid line, latch-releasing positions. Such manipulation will .raise 'latch Vbar 5|'.to release it from .z5 netchsJn-.trackfSZ Yas previously explained. so

9 that shaft 35 may be reciprocated outward into the unlatched position of Figures 1 and 10.

If, instead of at the time mentioned, rotation of cam disk 60 is reversed from clockwise to counterclockwise after pin 64 drops down from the end of rib 66, the latch releasing operation described above would not occur. On the contrary, pin 64 would merely ride up the inclined surface 69 and pass over rib 66 to engage again the central boss 65 of the cam disk. Thus the lever 62 would not be swung upward into latch releasing position. On the other hand if the reversal from clockwise to counterclockwise position were effected at the proper time but continued considerably beyond the position of disk 60 shown in Figure 14, pin 64 would drop downward from the outer end of rib 61 so that again levers 58 and 54' would be swung into their broken line positions by the action of weight 51. Simultaneously latch bar 5I would drop back into notch 53 of track 52.

After the combination has been manipulated by an authorized person to release the latch bar from its notch in the manner described, dial 6 would, of course, be rotated far enough in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction to enable levers 58 and 54' to return to their broken line positions of Figure l1, conditioning the latch bar 5l' to engage again in notch 53 upon appropriate reciprocation of shaft 35. During normal operation of the switch-closing mechanism, however, it will not be necessary to manipulate the combination latch releasing mechanism.

Shaft 35 would be reciprocated inwardly far enough to engage the latch mechanism in only the three instances, mentioned above: first, when an authorized operator positively locks the circuit-closing device by intentionally engaging head 31 in an aperture 30 of partition 3 other than that with which the circuit-closing means abutment element, such as block 13 or contacts I6, registers; second, when an unauthorized person tampers with the circuit-closing device and inadvertently shifts shaft 35 inward to engage head 31 in slot 3| or in a hole 30 other than that with which .the circuit-closing means abutment element is in registry; or third, to withdraw head 31 from notch 3| after the selected rotative position of the circuit-closing means abutment element has been altered by an authorized person. f

I claim as my invention:

1. Control mechanism for an electric circuit, comprising circuit-switching means including a rotor, an abutment element carried by said rotor, and a control element operable by engagement with said abutment element to effect closing of the electric circuit, means guiding said ro'tor for rotation, and means guiding said control element for rotation independently of said rotor, and for reciprocation in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of said control element into` engagement with said abutment element only when said control element and said rotor .are in corresponding rotative positions, to effect closing of the electric circuit.

2. Control mechanism for an electric circuit, comprising circuit-switching means including a rotor, an abutment element carried by said rotor, and a control element operable by engagement with said abutment element to effect closing of the electric circuit, means guiding said rotor for rotation, and means guiding said control element for rotation independently of said rotor about the rotors axis of rotation vand for reciprocation in a direction parallel to such axis of l0 rotation into engagement with said abutment element only when said control element and said rotor are in corresponding rotative positions, to effect closing of the electric circuit.

3. Control mechanism for an electric circuit, comprising circuit-switching means including a rotor, an abutment element carried by said rotor, and a control element operable by engagement with said abutment element to effect closing of the electric circuit, means guiding said rotor for rotation to move said abutment element into any selected one of a plurality of operative positions, means operable to hold said rotor to maintain said abutment element in such selected position, a shaft supported coaxially with said rotor and carrying said control element, and

means guiding said shaft for rotation and for lengthwise reciprocation to move said control element into engagement with said abutment element only when said two elements are in corresponding rotative positions, to effect closing of the electric circuit.

4. Control mechanism for an electric circuit, comprising circuit-switching means including a rotor, an abutment element carried by said rotor and projecting from one side thereof, and a control element operable by engagement with the projecting end of said abutment element to effect closing of the electric circuit, means guiding said rotor for rotation to move said abutment element into any selected one of a plurality of operative positions, means operable to hold said rotor to maintain said abutment element in such selected position, a shaft supported coaxially with said rotor and carrying said control element, and means guiding said shaft for rotation and for lengthwise reciprocation to move said control element into engagement with the projecting end of said abutment element only When said two elements are in corresponding rotative positions, to effect closing of the electric circuit,and to move said control element into engagement with a side of said abutment element for effecting rotation of said rotor to dispose said abutment element in a different selected operative position.

5. Control mechanism for an electric circuit, comprising sa' cylindrical casing, a partition secured in said casing, a rotor rotatively journaled in said partition centrally thereof and including a disk adjacent to said partition, a second partition secured in said casing, spaced from said disk, and having a plurality of apertures arranged in a circle concentric with the axis of rotation of said rotor, an abutment element carried by and projecting from the disk of said rotor in a position capable of registering successively with each of such apertures upon rotation of said rotor, a shaft rotatable about the laxis of vrotation of said rotor, an arm extending laterally from said shaft on the side lof said apertured `partition opposite said abutment element, and having fa head mounted thereon for alignment with any one of the apertures in said second partition when said shaft is disposed in the corresponding rotative position, and means guiding said shaft for lengthwise reciprocation to project said head through that aperture in said second partition with which said abutment element registers into engagement therewith.

6. Control mechanism for an electric circuit, comprising a cylindrical casing, apartition secured in said casing, a rotor rotatively journaled in said partition centrally thereof and including a disk adjacent to said partition, a second partition sellled in said casing, spaced from said disk, and

1l having a plurality of aperturesl arranged in a circle concentric with the axis of rotation of said rotor, a pair of contacts projecting from the disk of said rotor in a position capable of registering successively with each of such apertures upon rotation of said rotor, Ia shaft rotatable about the axis of rotation of said rotor, an arm extending laterally from said shaft on the side of said apertured partition opposite said pair of contacts and having a head of conducting material mounted thereon for alignment with any one of the apertures in said second partition when said shaft is disposed in the corresponding rotative position, and means guiding said shaft for lengthwise reciprocation to project said head through that aperture in said second partition,

with which said pair of contacts registers to complete a circuit therebetween.

7. Control mechanism of an electric circuit, comprising a cylindrical casing, la lpartition secured in said casing, a rotor rotatively journaled in said partition centrally thereof and including a disk adjacent to said partition, means guiding said rotor for laxial reciprocation, contacts in the electric circuit adapted to be bridged by said rotor upon axial reciprocation thereof in one direction, a second partition secured in said casing, spaced from said disk, and having a plurality of apertures arranged in a circle concentric with the axis of rotation of said rotor, an abutment element projecting from the disk of sai-d rotor in a position capable of registering successively with each of such apertures upon rotation of said rotor, .a shaft rotatable about the axis of rotation iof said rotor, an arm extending laterally from said shaft on the side of said apertured partition opposite said abutment element, and having va head mounted thereon for alignment With any one of the apertures in said second partition when said shaft is disposed in the corresponding -o rotative position, and means guiding said shaft for lengthwise reciprocation to project said head through that aperture in said second partition with which said abutment element registers into engagement therewith to move said rotor :axially for engaging said contacts thereby.

8. Control mechanism comprising a control element, cooperating means including an abutment element movable into any selected one of a plurality of operative positions :and extending toward said control element farther than the portions of said cooperating means in the unselected operative positions, means guiding said 'control element for shifting into positions corresponding to the several operative positions of said abutment element, said control element being engageable with said abutment element while in the position corresponding to the selected operative position of said abutment element, and locking means operable, by shifting of said control element toward said cooperating means into any position corresponding to one of the several operative positions of said abutment element other than that corresponding to such selected operative position of said abutment element and to an extent beyond said abutment element, to restrain shifting of said control element into the position correspending to such selected operative position of said abutment element.

9. Control mechanism las dened in claim 8, in which the abutment element is rotatable and the control element is rotatable and reciprocable and the locking means include a latch member engageable with the control element to hold it against return reciprocation when reciprocated toward the cooperating means while in any roe tative position corresponding to one of the several operative positions of .the abutment element other than the rotative operative position in which the control element can engage the abutment element when reciprocated, but inoperative to latch the control element :against return reciprocation when reciprocated into engagement with the abutment element.

10. Control mechanism for an :electric circuit, Comprising a casing, circuit-switching means in cluding an abutment element, means supporting said abutment element for angular shifting relative to said casing into a selected one of a plurality of operative positions, a control element, means independent of said .supporting means, mounting said control element inside said casing and guiding said control element for angular shifting thereof relative to said casing, rand means guiding said control `element for reciprocation into engagement 'with said abutment -element in various corresponding rotative positions of said two elements, said control element being operable by such engagement with said abutment element to effect closing of the electric circuit.

11. Control mechanism for an electric circuit, comprising a casing, and circuit-switching means including an abutment element rotatable relative to said casing into any selected one of a plurality of rotative positions, and a control element engageable with said abutment element and rotatable relative to said casing while thus engaged and thereby being operable to elect such rotation of said abutment element relative to said casing, and further being rotatable independently of said abutment element into a plurality of positions other than that corresponding to the selected one of such plurality of rotative positions in which said abutment element is disposed.

12. Control mechanism comprising an abutment element, means supporting said abutment element for rotation into any selected one of a plurality of rotative positions, a control element, and means supporting said control element for rotation into any one of a plurality of positions corresponding respectively to operative positions of said abutment element, further supporting said control element for axial movement into engagement with said abutment element While in the one of such rotative positions corresponding to the selected rotative position in which said abutment element is disposed, and further supporting said control element first for axial movement While in a rotative position other than that cori responding to the selected rotative position in which said abutment element is disposed, and thereafter rotatively into engagement with said abutment element to shift it rotatively from its selected rotative position into a different selected rotative position.

13. Mechanism comprising an abutment element, a control element engageable therewith, an indicator element, means supporting said control element and said indicator element for conjoint rotation, an index cooperating with said indicator element to designate, each by a different symbol, various rotated positions of said indicator element, means operable to eiect relative reciprocation of said abutment element and said control element to eiect engagement thereof in only a predetermined rotative relationship of said indicator element with respect to said index, and means for adjusting the relative rotative positions of said indicator element and said index for a given rotative positioning of said control element,

for thereafter effecting switching engagement of said control element with said abutment element only when said indicator yelement is in one particular established rotative relationship to said index which is different from such predetermined relationship.

14. Mechanism comprising an abutment element, a control element engageable therewith, an indicator element, means supporting said control element and said indicator element for conjoint rotation, an'index cooperating with said indicator element to designate, each by a diierent symbol, various rotated positions of said indicator element, means operable to effect relative reciprocation of said abutment element and said control element to effect engagement thereof in only a predetermined rotative relationship of said indicator element with respect to said index, and means rotatively supporting said abutment element, said control element being operable to engage and shift said abutment element rotatively relative to said index for thereafter effecting switching engagement of said control element with said abutment element only when said indicator element is in one particular established rotative relationship to said index which is different from such predetermined relationship.

15. Switching mechanism comprising a contact member, a switch member engageable therewith, an indicator member, means supporting said switch member and said indicator member for conjoint rotation, a graduated dial bearing symbols, cooperating with said indicator member to designate various rotated positions of said indicator member, means operable to effect reciprocation of said supporting means for effecting switching engagement of said switch member with said contact member in only a predetermined rotative relationship of said indicator member with respect to said dial, and means for adjustl ing the relative rotative positions of said indicator member and said dial for a given rotative positioning of said switch member for thereafter effecting switching engagement of said switch member with said contact member only when said indicator member is in one particular established rotative relationship to said dial which is different from such predetermined relationship.

16. Control mechanism for an electric circuit, comprising a casing, circuit-switching means including an abutment element, means supporting sad abutment element for angular shifting relative to said casing into a selected one of a plurality of opera-tive positions, a control element, means independent of said supporting means guiding said control element for angular shifting thereof relative to said casing, means guiding said control element for reciprocation into engagement with said abutment element in various corresponding rotative positions of said two elements, said control element being operable by such engagement with said abutment element to eect closing of the electric circuit, and means operable to lock said control element against further movement upon reciprocation thereof toward said abutment element when the abutment element and the control element are in other than corresponding rotative positions.

1'7. An electric switching device comprising a housing, a switching member rotatably mounted within said housing and having projecting contact means rotatable into any of various selectable switching positions, a coacting switch-actuating member rotatably mounted within said housing independently of but coaxially with said switching member and including a rotatable radial arm and a contact linger carried thereby in generally parallel relation to the rotative axis of said switch activating member, extending toward said switching member and movable axially into switchactuating engagement with the contact means of said switching member only when rotated into positional correspondence therewith, and separating means normally interposed between said switching and switch-actuating members, and having contact finger passages defining a plurality of switching positions, and a radial passage adapted to pass said radial arm and said finger to permit engagement of said finger with a side of said contact means to effect changing the position of the switching member by then rotating said arm from registry with one to registry with another of said contact finger passages.

18. The electric switching device defined in claim 1'7, and a latch engageable with the switchactuating member upon passage of the contact finger through one of the contact finger passages other than the one with which the contact means is in registry.

19. An electric switching device comprising a housing, a switching member rotatably mounted within said housing and rotatable into any of various selectable switching positions, a coacting switch actuating member rotatably mounted within said housing coaxially with said switching member and rotatable into any of various positions corresponding to said selectable switching positions, mounting means operable to guide said switch-actuating member for movement axially into switch actuating engagement with said switching member, means limiting axial movement of said switch-actuating member short of that necessary for switch-actuating engagement thereof with said switching member when in rotative positions other than those corresponding to said selectable switching positions, and means guiding said switch-actuating member for movement into abutment with said switching memberr by rotative movement of said switch actuating member and thereafter for conjoint rotation of said switch-actuating member and said switching member.

20. A device as deiined in claim 19, and positional indicator means associated with the housing, cooperative indicator means carried by the switch-actuating member, and means for adjusting the relative rotative positioning of said cooperative indicator means and the switch-actuating member.

21. A device as defined in claim 19, and locking means coacting with and operable to lock the switch-actuating member when moved axially in a rotative position corresponding to a selectable switching position other than that corresponding With the position of the switching member.

22. Control mechanism comprising a partition having a plurality of apertures therein, means at one side of said partition movable relative to said partition into registry with any selected one of such partition apertures, a control member located at the side of said partition opposite said means, movable relative to said partition independently of said means into a plurality of positions corresponding respectively to various partition apertures, and proj ectable through such partition apertures, being engageable with said means when projected through the selected partition aperture with which said means is then in registry and operable thereby to effect controlling l5 I6 operation' of said means, and means supporting REFCS, 'CITED- said control member for movement through an t Y aperture of the partition other than that with The followingfreferences are of record in the which said first means is then in registry for le 0f this ina-tent; engagement with such means to effect movement 5 UNITED. STTES PATENTS thereof from registry with a selected one of the partition apertures into registry with another Number Name Daft? v, partition aperture selected from the plurality of 55716.46 B09@ Apr- 7 1395 such apertures, 5971470 Norden Jan- 18, 1393 n 794,792 Earie v July 18, 1905 EDWARD STANLEY GIFFIN. 1,116,264: Germany -..e- NOV. 3, 1914; 

